Loaded Burger Bowl

If your weeknight energy level is currently “I can’t even,” this Loaded Burger Bowl is about to feel like a tiny miracle in a bowl. It’s got all the best parts of a juicy burger—savory beef, crispy bacon, pickles, tomatoes—without the bun drama, the grill mess, or the “why is there ketchup on the ceiling?” mystery.

And let’s talk about the real star: a Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce” that tastes like your favorite drive-thru burger grew up, got its life together, and moved into your kitchen. Cozy, fast, satisfying… and yes, picky-eater approved more often than not.

Why You’ll Love This Loaded Burger Bowl

• Big burger flavor, zero fuss. It’s basically comfort food wearing comfy pants.
• 30 minutes, start to finish. (Less time than scrolling for “easy dinner ideas.”)
• Customizable for everyone. Low-carb, Whole30 swaps, extra pickles, no onions—your rules.
• Meal-prep friendly. You can build bowls all week and feel like a kitchen genius.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Burgers

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 4 teaspoons garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
• 1 teaspoon avocado oil (or melted refined coconut oil)

For the “Special Sauce”

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or 1 tablespoon coconut aminos if Whole30)
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1 pinch salt (more or less to taste)

For the Quick Guacamole

• 2 medium avocados (pitted and peeled)
• ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
• ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)

For the Bowls (All Optional—but also… why would we skip?)

• 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 small heads romaine lettuce (leaves only, roughly chopped; about 8–9 cups)
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes), halved
• ½ cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)
• 8–10 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

How to Make a Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce”

1) Cook the Burger Beef

1. Add the ground beef, garlic powder, and salt to a medium bowl. Mix with clean hands or a spoon until combined.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add avocado oil and swirl it around.
3. Add the beef mixture to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and crumbled.
4. While the beef cooks, make your guacamole and special sauce (so everything hits the table together, like a well-coordinated dinner miracle).

2) Stir Up the Special Sauce

1. In a second medium bowl, add mayonnaise, ketchup, maple syrup (or coconut aminos), relish, dried minced onion, red pepper flakes, and salt.
2. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
3. Taste it. Adjust it. Try not to “taste it” five more times with a spoon standing over the sink. (No judgment. I’ve been there.)

3) Mash the Quick Guacamole

1. In a small bowl, mash avocados with lemon juice and salt.
2. Keep it chunky or make it smooth—this is your guac era.

4) Char the Red Onions (Totally Optional, Totally Worth It)

1. When beef is done, transfer it to a bowl or plate.
2. Return skillet to medium heat. Add sliced red onions in a single layer (work in batches).
3. Cook until lightly charred, flip, and char the other side.
4. Set aside.

5) Build Your Burger Bowls

1. Divide chopped romaine among 4 serving bowls.
2. Add a portion of ground beef to the center of each bowl.
3. Arrange toppings around the beef: tomatoes, pickles, bacon, charred onions, guacamole—whatever makes your heart happy.
4. Drizzle generously with special sauce and serve right away with extra sauce (because we’re not here to be stingy).

Tips That Make This Even Easier

• Want hotter, crispier beef? Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Let it brown a bit before stirring too much—those browned bits are flavor gold.
• Meal-prep hack: Store components separately (lettuce dry, sauce in a jar, beef in a container). Assemble in 2 minutes when hunger hits.
• Sauce too thick? Add a tiny splash of water or pickle juice. Yes, pickle juice. Trust me—it’s like a shortcut to burger-joint vibes.
• For extra “burger energy”: Add shredded cheese (if that works for you), jalapeños, or even crispy fried onions. This bowl can handle it.

A Quick Little Real-Life Moment

This Loaded Burger Bowl is the kind of dinner I lean on when life feels like one big to-do list with no “pause” button. You know those nights: you’re tired, everyone’s hungry, and suddenly you’re negotiating with a tiny human (or a grown adult) about whether lettuce is “too crunchy.”

That’s when I pull out this bowl. It’s fast, it’s filling, and the Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce” magically makes everyone forget they were complaining five minutes ago. Honestly, I wish it worked on laundry too.

FAQs About Loaded Burger Bowl

Your Next Burger Night Just Got Easier

If you love big comfort-food flavor but could do without the bun, the mess, and the extra dishes, this Loaded Burger Bowl is calling your name. It’s fresh, hearty, and the kind of dinner that makes you feel like you actually planned the week… even if you didn’t.

Make it once, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular. Especially once that Loaded Burger Bowl with “Special Sauce” starts getting requested like it’s a household celebrity.

Keep the Burger-Bowl Love Going (You’ll Love These Too)

If this Loaded Burger Bowl hit the spot, don’t stop here—there are more cozy, easy favorites waiting for you. Here are a few reader-loved recipes that bring the same big flavor, simple steps, and “dinner is handled” feeling.

• Crack Burgers — All the juicy, melty burger goodness when you want a classic comfort dinner.
• Loaded Potato Taco Bowl — Another fun bowl night with bold toppings and serious “clean-plate” energy.
• Korean Ground Beef Bowl — Sweet, savory, and fast—perfect for those “what’s for dinner?” panic moments.
• Ground Beef and Brussels Sprouts — A simple skillet-style meal that’s hearty, quick, and surprisingly crave-worthy.

If you make this recipe (or any of these!), scroll down and leave a ★★★★★ review—your stars and quick note help other home cooks find their next favorite dinner, and it truly means so much. Happy cooking!

Loaded Burger Bowl

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 bowls 1x

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Description

A bun-free Loaded Burger Bowl packed with seasoned ground beef, crisp romaine, tomatoes, pickles, bacon, creamy guacamole, and a dreamy “special sauce” drizzle—ready fast for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Burgers

• 1 pound lean ground beef

• 4 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)

• 1 teaspoon avocado oil (or melted refined coconut oil)

For the Special Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons ketchup

• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or 1 tablespoon coconut aminos for Whole30)

• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish

• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion

• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)

• 1 pinch salt (more or less to taste)

For the Quick Guacamole

• 2 medium avocados (pitted and peeled)

• 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)

For the Bowls (Optional Toppings)

• 1 cup thinly sliced red onion

• 2 small heads romaine lettuce, chopped (about 8–9 cups)

• 1 1/2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cup pickle chips (plus more to taste)

• 8–10 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Mix the beef: In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, and salt until mixed.

2. Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil. When hot, add beef and cook, stirring often, until browned and crumbled.

3. Make the special sauce: In another bowl, whisk mayo, ketchup, maple syrup (or coconut aminos), relish, dried onion, red pepper flakes, and salt. Taste and adjust.

4. Make the guacamole: In a small bowl, mash avocados with lemon juice and salt. Set aside.

5. Char the onions (optional): Remove cooked beef from skillet. Add sliced red onions in a single layer (work in batches). Cook until lightly charred on both sides.

6. Assemble the bowls: Divide romaine into 4 bowls. Add beef to the center. Arrange tomatoes, pickles, bacon, onions, guacamole, and any other toppings around it.

7. Sauce it up: Drizzle special sauce on top and serve right away (extra sauce encouraged!).

Notes

Whole30 option: Use coconut aminos instead of maple syrup, and choose compliant mayo/ketchup if needed.

Make-ahead tip: Store beef, sauce, and toppings separately; assemble just before eating for the freshest crunch.

Adjust to taste: Add more pickles for tang, more red pepper flakes for heat, or extra sauce for maximum “burger vibes.”

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop / Skillet
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 700 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1100 mg
• Fat: 54 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg